Water resistance is becoming a pretty standard feature with smart wearables and watches, even most smartphones.

But there is more to stepping inside of a sauna than just the water vapor—there’s also the heat to consider.

So can a Fitbit withstand both water and heat and should you wear one in a sauna?

Can You Wear a Fitbit in The Sauna?

A steamy sauna

Fitbits usually have a maximum operating temperature of 113°F. Your standard sauna operates between 150 and 180 degrees F, which is too hot. It’s not necessary the water vapor that you have to be concerned with, even with older, less water-resistance Fitbit devices. The heat level is too high for Fitbit’s internals and the adhesive that keeps it water resistant.

There is also the potential for the metal clasp on the Fitbit to burn your skin as the sauna heats it.

Generally, the conditions within saunas are extreme and you should avoid taking your Fitbit in there.

Many people who do bring their Fitbit into the sauna report seeing a ‘Battery Not Charging’ message, which probably just means your Fitbit is getting so hot that it actually thinks it’s charging. That’s probably not a good thing.

Saunas in Europe are usually hotter. So if you’ve been having luck taking it into saunas in the US, you might not have the same success if heading to countries like Finland.

You should avoid taking any of your electronic devices into the sauna (unless they have been specifically designed for that purpose). Over time, the extreme heat and moisture could cause water damage by lifting the adhesive that makes your device water resistant.

However, you will find accounts of people in online forums who regularly take their Fitbit into the sauna, without issue. But that doesn’t mean they won’t soon have issues with their device.

There are exceptions to the rule, of course, but not inside traditional saunas that are just too hot. There are also infrared saunas and standard steam rooms to consider as well. And, let’s not forget, that Fitbit manufactures more than one wearable, many of which have different specs.

The most popular Fitbit lines include the Sense, Luxe, Versa, Inspire, and Charge models, all of which are great Fitbit smart wearables in their own right. However, they don’t do so well in high heat. Fitbit wearables come with a user manual which should tell you the ambient temperatures that they can withstand.

On the lower end, temperatures at 14°F will negatively impact your Fitbit. Of course, it wouldn’t be a sauna if it were 14°F, so all you need to worry about is the maximum temperature, which is usually 113°F. 

A standard sauna will reach temperatures much higher than that, usually between 150 and 180°F, with a good deal of water moisture as well.

This is simply too hot for a Fitbit with a maximum temperature rating of 113°F.

Infrared Saunas

The temperature range in an infrared sauna is anywhere between 120°F and 140°F. The Fitbit Charge has an operating temperature of 113°F, so it would not be recommended to wear your Fitbit inside.

Steam Rooms

Steam rooms don’t get anywhere near as hot as traditional and infrared saunas. However, they do get excessively moist, reaching 100% humidity levels.

Steam Rooms usually operate at about 110 to 120 degrees F. So they will be right around the maximum temperature your Fitbit is rated to run at.

While most Fitbit wearables may be able to resist this for a while, it will no doubt shorten your device’s life span. It can also potentially have an effect on the device’s ability to take accurate readings of your vital statistics, especially your heart rate. 

It’s also not good for most bands, whether you have an original Fitbit band or have replaced it with a third-party band.

Related Article: Does Bluetooth Have To Be On For A Fitbit To Track Sleep? (Explained)

The Fitbit Inspire

The Fitbit Inspire 2 is Fitbit’s latest in the Inspire series and it can handle ambient temperatures between 14°F and 113°F, which places it out of the question where infrared and traditional saunas are concerned. 

A steam room will approach 110° and maybe a little higher, so you shouldn’t risk a temperature range that flirts that closely with the 113°F limitation on the Inspire 2.

As far as moisture, the Inspire 2 is water resistant to 50 meters, so that shouldn’t be of immediate concern.

The Fitbit Sense

The Sense is probably the most technologically advanced throughout the Fitbit line-up but it’s definitely not up for a trip into any sauna, regardless of type.

Its maximum temperature rating is 113°F and since steam rooms are very close to that range, you shouldn’t wear it in those either. 

The Sense is waterproof down to 50 meters, just like the Inspire 2, so there’s no need to worry about moisture outside of ensuring that your band remains dry.

Seeing as the Sense is a $240 smartwatch, you definitely don’t want to lose it over a relaxing break in the sauna.

The Fitbit Versa And Charge

The Fitbit Versa and Charge models boast similar specs to the other Fitbit models so saunas are not recommended.

The Fitbit Luxe

The Luxe comes with a lower ambient temperature limitation than some of the other Fitbit wearables at -4°F. Unfortunately, Fitbit didn’t boost its maximum temperature limitation, which is at the standard 113°F.

Fitbit recommends you thoroughly clean and dry out your band after exposure to moisture, which shouldn’t apply to steam rooms, traditional saunas, or infrared saunas since all of them match or exceed Luxe’s temperature limitations.

The water resistance is the standard 50 meters as well.

Can You Wear Your Fitbit in a Hot Tub?

When it comes to moisture, you shouldn’t have to worry about water with any of the above-listed Fitbit devices, unless your screen or the shell of the watch is somehow compromised.

Most hot tubs are set at a slightly higher temperature than 100°F, so you should be good.

However, Fitbit doesn’t recommend that you wear their devices in the hot tub. They don’t even recommend that you shower with them on for fear that they’ll come into contact with soaps, shampoos, or other bathroom products, which can cause damage to Fitbits and may also cause irritation to your skin.

It’s a good idea to keep your Fitbit wearables away from heat sources that get even close to your device’s maximum operating level, regardless of what type of heat source it is. That way, you’ll be doing what you can to make your Fitbit last as long as it can.

Is There Any Fitness Tracker I Can Wear In The Sauna?

You’ll struggle to find a wearable fitness tracker whose manufacturer gives the go-ahead for use in a sauna. WHOOP have confirmed that their WHOOP Band 4.0 can be used in swimming pools, hot tubs, and saunas, provided the temperature doesn’t go over 140°F, which is the band’s maximum operating temperature. That should be good for most infrared saunas and steam rooms, at least.

The band allows you to track your heart rate, skin temperature, blood oxygen, and more.

WHOOP 4.0 is also IP68 dustproof and water-resistant for two hours up to a depth of 10 meters.

All Things Considered

It’s nice to have the freedom of wearing your Fitbit fitness tracker all of the time but occasionally, you just need to take the thing off. While you can technically take a risk with steam rooms and infrared saunas with some Fitbit wearables, it’s just not worth the potential of losing it and having to buy another.